Bristol Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals are facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of claims alleging the patients had developed Abilify gambling side effects. One of the most recent claims comes from a Georgia woman, alleging she developed Abilify gambling side effects not long after starting the prescription.

Plaintiff Vanessa E. is alleging the Abilify gambling side effects had developed in direct result of the medication’s treatment mechanism, which she alleges Bristol Myers and Otsuka failed to warn her against.

According to the Abilify lawsuit, Vanessa was prescribed the antipsychotic for typical treatment purposes and had taken the drug according to prescription instructions and physician advice. At the time she was prescribed Abilify, Vanessa and her physician had reviewed marketing materials and advertisements provided by the companies and were given the impression Abilify was an ideal choice for her condition.

Abilify and Dopamine

Abilify is a popular atypical antipsychotic medication that entered the market in 2002 to treat patients suffering from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other extreme mental disease. While it is highly popular in the patient population, recent reports of Abilify gambling side effects have left the medical community concerned.

Abilify works by manipulating the brain’s dopamine levels, which is the brain chemical responsible for pleasure and reward sensations. This is supposed to produce feelings of elation and joy, and ultimately provide stable mood balance.

However, this treatment mechanism may be causing the alleged Abilify gambling side effects, as it may shut down the patient’s inhibitions and natural sense of caution. This allegedly happened to Vanessa, who was prescribed Abilify from October 2008 to October 2009.

During this period, she reportedly incurred over $10,000 in financial losses due to compulsive gambling. The Abilify lawsuit also indicates she experienced neuropsychiatric and physical injuries, emotional distress, and overall financial instability.

Compulsive Behavior: Abilify Gambling Side Effects

When the dopamine levels in the brain are activated, patients are encouraged to do actions to make the high last as long as possible. This can develop into different compulsive behavioral problems the patient did not previously have, including gambling, shopping, and hypersexuality.

The correlation between compulsive behavior development and doapmine receptor drugs has been noted in several studies, including one inquiry by the ISMP. The ISMP found that dopamine receptor medications can be coincident with “severe impulse control disorders” in some patients, and had noted Abilify compulsive behavior problems in at least 37 injury reports.

European and American health officials eventually required Otsuka and Bristol Myers to update the drug’s warning label to include Abilify gambling side effects, but the warning came too late for many patients.

Vanessa’s Abilify lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2734, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By joining an MDL, Vanessa will avoid long waiting periods in the litigation system and will avoid potential problems like receiving conflicting rulings from different judges.

Vanessa’s Abilify lawsuit is seeking multiple damages including negligence and failure to warn, with her claim stating she would not have agreed to take the medication if she had known about potential Abilify gambling side effects.

This Abilify Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-00332-MCR-GRJ, in the U.S. District Court Northern Florida, Pensacola Division.